Mosport: Oliver Gavin race report

RED FLAG ADDS TO BAD LUCK TO SCUPPER GAVIN'S MOSPORT
With 29 minutes left to run of the 2 hour 45 minute Grand Prix of
Mosport, the red flags flew and everyone's race came to a premature end.
None was more disappointed than Oliver Gavin and his...

RED FLAG ADDS TO BAD LUCK TO SCUPPER GAVIN'S MOSPORT

With 29 minutes left to run of the 2 hour 45 minute Grand Prix of
Mosport, the red flags flew and everyone's race came to a premature end.
None was more disappointed than Oliver Gavin and his new-for-Mosport
team mate, Jan Magnussen, who were relishing the opportunity to make a
final assault on a podium finishing place.

The concrete barriers lining the high-speed Andretti Straight was
severely damaged in an accident, and officials decided that it would
take longer than the time available to properly repair it so brought the
race to an early finish. Olly and Jan's Corvette was fourth across the
finish line in the GT class, making it four different manufacturers in
the first four places.

"It wasn't a great day," said a deeply disappointed Olly. "No matter
which way we turn, we don't seem to catch a break. We had the speed to
fight anyone including the winning Porsche or the Ferrari and BMW behind
it."

Both Corvettes encountered accidents and misfortune in the early part
of the race, but battled back from a one-lap deficit to rejoin the
frontrunners. Just as they had both made their final pit stops and taken
on four fresh Michelin tyres for the sprint to the finish, the race
was stopped for 45 minutes while the safety crew worked to repair the
damaged barrier. The officials' decision to conclude the race was then
announced.

"The start was very slow, and there was concrete dust to soak up excess
oil all over the track from a previous race," said Oliver. "I managed
to get around the BMW and then get right on Pat Long's tail. After that
it was the same story as Elkhart Lake -- I could get close and pull
alongside him, but I never had quite enough to overtake him.

"Our race changed completely just after Jan had taken over from me," he
notes. "It was effectively taken away from us by a rash challenge from a
prototype which took us out of contention for a win by damaging a right
front tyre. A crash on the front straight brought out a full-course
yellow but Jan was already committed to the pits, which had been closed.
The crew replaced the damaged wheel, but we then had to make another pit
stop once the pits were open.

"We were left to fight for the final podium place but we really needed
the last 30 minutes of the race to make that challenge and it wasn't to
be today."

Oliver's next race will be the final round of the American Le Mans
Series at Road Atlanta on Saturday, October 2nd.